The last naturally-aspirated mid-engine V8 model from the prancing horse, Ferrari’s 458 is a yardstick for the supercar world. People talk about the ultra-focused 458 Speciale, and while it’s considered by many to be one of the best driver’s cars ever made, let’s not forget the standard 458 Italia is still an insane supercar. When it came out back in ’09, it gave the Ferrari lineup a huge leap forward, especially when you compare it to the F430 that came before it. And that design? Pininfarina absolutely nailed it—doesn’t feel like it’s aged at all.
With a wild 4.5-liter V8 (called F136), the 458 screams up to 9,000 RPM. It churns out 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. All that power gets sent to the rear wheels, propelling this beast from 0 to 62 mph in about 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph—yep, that’s faster than the all-wheel-drive Lamborghini Gallardo of that era. Sure, it’s fast in a straight line, but it’s the handling that blows your mind. This car even managed to beat the track-tuned 430 Scuderia around Fiorano, and that says a lot.
One of the big changes in the 458 was the introduction of its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It was made by Getrag, a German company, and this was their first dual-clutch transmission. The shifts are lightning quick, like sub-50 milliseconds fast, and this same system, or a version of it, has shown up in cars like the Mercedes-AMG SLS and the Ford GT.
Now, it might look smooth and simple on the outside just like the 550 Maranello—no massive wings or flashy splitters—but that 458 still creates up to 360 kg of downforce. The trick? Winglets in the front air intakes that lower as you go faster. And, even though it’s packed with cutting-edge tech like the e-diff and F1-Trac stability control, it’s held up remarkably well over the years—almost 15 since it first hit the road. For those looking to buy one used, it’s still a solid choice.
Ferrari 458 Review
Variants, Engine, Drive
The Ferrari 458 Italia is accessible in two body styles: a coupe and a Spider convertible. I remember thinking the coupe’s 4.5-liter V8 was unreal, but then there’s the Spider with its 4.4-liter V8. Honestly, either one would leave you speechless. But, if you’re craving more—like, a lot more—Ferrari’s got your back with the 458 Speciale. That version? Totally amps up the intensity. And there’s even more: 458 Challenge, Challenge EVO, and Special A. I think those models were made for the kind of person who needs extra adrenaline, you know?
Now, here’s the thing: You don’t have to be a pro like Fernando Alonso or Kimi Raikkonen to enjoy this car. There’s a cool little feature called the Manettino dial on the steering wheel, which lets you tweak the throttle, gearshift, and even the dampers to fit your skill level. Pretty slick, right?
And driving it—it’s something else. That engine note from the V8? Pure music just like its evolutionary models, the 488 GTB, the F8 Spider and the 488 Spider. The acceleration? Insane. The way the controls just talk to you—it’s like the car becomes part of you. Plus, the steering? Razor-sharp. Loads of grip too, which just adds to the fun. On the track or the road, the 458s got character and speed, through and through.
Gearbox
The twin-clutch, made by Getrag (successor Magna Powertrain), is actually a newer version of the one used in the Ferrari California. But, it’s got shorter gearing and the shifts have been recalibrated to give it a different feel. The engine itself? Rock solid, barely giving anyone any issues. There have been some minor complaints from a handful of owners, though. Clutch issues mainly—nothing too crazy. Most of the time, it just means a quick reset of the clutch positioning sensors or a software update. Also, checking how much life’s left in the clutch is smart, trust me. A new clutch kit? That’s going to hit your wallet hard—about 20 grand.
Exterior and Interior Design
The design is just breathtaking. Few cars on the road can turn heads like this one does. Everything about it screams “supercar.” Sleek lines, an aggressive front, slim headlights, a sharp profile, and the back end is just pure art.
Step inside, and you’re surrounded by what Ferrari’s all about—performance, luxury, and quality. It’s a modern marvel, so different from older Ferraris that sometimes had… quirks, to say the least.
Usefulness, Coziness, and Luggage Space
The Ferrari 458, in my opinion, shows just how far supercars have come. It’s kind of crazy that it’s actually not hard to live with on a daily basis. Adaptive dampers? Those help the ride stay pretty smooth, you know, and the seats—comfortable, supportive—are perfect for long drives.
Now, let’s be real, it’s a 2+2, right? So, practicality isn’t really what you’re getting here, but that’s obvious. No one buys a Ferrari expecting it to be practical. Still, Ferrari’s managed to make it somewhat usable. There’s a small but deep boot in the front, and right behind the seats, a luggage shelf that comes in handy.
Oh, and let’s not forget the options list. It’s long. Most people I know who buy one end up adding thousands of pounds in bespoke trim and detailing. Fancy luggage kits? Yeah, they sell those too, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Dependability and Safety
It’s not just about looks, though. The 458 has Formula 1 tech packed in it, and, well, it’s built solid. The UK buyers were lucky; they got a four-year warranty. Safety-wise, there’re airbags all over the place, plus stability control, so it sticks to the road no matter the weather.
Price
Prices kicked off at £115,000 ($150K), which isn’t exactly cheap like many other expensive supercars. But here’s the thing—when you look at it, the original owners probably dropped somewhere around £200,000 ($261K) with all the options. Oh, and if you’re lucky enough to find a well-preserved 458 with, say, 20,000 miles? Expect around £135,000 ($176K). The Spider version? You’re looking at £140,000 ($183K), easy. The Speciale, though? Yeah, good luck getting one for under £250,000 ($326K). Newer pre-owned models are accessible for around $270,000 in the US.
In fact, the Speciale is around $600K in the US right now, making it one of most expensive and the rarest Ferrari 458s in the Land of Opportunity.
Note: Dollar prices are mere estimates as per current exchange rates.
Ferrari 458 Model Years and Generations
Ferrari 458 Speciale
Ferrari first brought out the 458 Speciale at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a car that a lot of us had been waiting for. Meant for those drivers who want a sports car that’s more about thrills than comfort, the Ferrari 458 Italia Speciale takes after models like the Challenge Stradale and the 430 Scuderia. It’s both lighter and stronger compared to the 458 Italia.
Now, as for the power, the 458 Speciale’s got a tweaked 4.5-liter V8 under the hood. It cranks out 605 HP (445 kW) and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque, which is a solid 35 HP more than the Italia. It’s all hooked up to a beefed-up dual-clutch transmission that’s made to amp up the car’s response, especially when you slam on the gas. Weighing just 1290 kg (2844 lbs), this supercar jumps from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3 seconds flat. And get this—it laps Fiorano in 1 minute and 23.5 seconds. Pretty wild.
Ferrari 458 Spider
Honestly, the 458 Spider is just as fun to drive as the 458 Italia coupe. But with the Spider, you get to drop the top and enjoy the sound of that V8 roaring in your ears. The roof? It’s fully electric and folds down in 14 seconds. There’s also a glass wind deflector that lets you really hear the engine, even when the sun’s not shining.
Whether the top is up or down, the 2015 Ferrari 458 Spider looks and sounds incredible. You can hear the 562 horsepower V8 growl once you hit 3,000 rpm. Push it all the way to its 9,000 rpm redline, and it sounds like a full-on race car. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox shifts gears so quickly, it barely feels like you’re losing any momentum. To give you some numbers, the Spider hits 0-62 mph in just 3.4 seconds, which is a tenth of a second slower than the Italia. Top speed? It’s a tiny drop, going from 202 mph to 198 mph, but seriously, you wouldn’t notice the difference on the street.
If that’s not enough, the prancing horse has the Ferrari 458 Pista Spider, featuring a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. It churns out a whopping 710 ponies and 568 pound feet of torque. Burdened by extra pounds, it defies the odds and scorches around Fiorano in a mind-blowing 1:21.5 seconds, nearly matching the LaFerrari’s legendary lap time.
Ferrari 458 Challenge Evoluzione
The Evoluzione really shows you what Ferrari’s about when it comes to bridging the gap between road cars and race cars. It’s got stiffer suspension, slick tires, and track-focused aerodynamics, but it still keeps the same gearbox and engine as the road version. This car is all about taking the Ferrari experience to the track, no matter your driving skills.
The Challenge Evoluzione was built for Ferrari’s one-make series races. Ferrari’s been doing this since 1993, and they organize races all over the world. They launched the 458 Challenge in 2011, and then, by 2014, we got the updated version, the Challenge Evoluzione.
Under the hood, it’s still running the same 562 HP V8 engine as the road car, but the gearbox ratios have been tweaked. It’s all about getting more torque lower down in the rev range, which makes it a blast to drive on the track.
Ferrari 458 Italia Specs
| Powerplant | 4.5-liter NA V8 |
| Horsepower | 562bhp @ 9000rpm |
| Torque | 398 pound feet @ 6000rpm |
| Mass | 1485kg |
| Power-to-weight | 378bhp/ton |
| 0 to 62 mph or 100 km/h | 3.4sec |
| Max speed | 202mph |
| Price brand-new | £115,000 |
| Estimated Average Price | £205,000 |
